Surgical table top and accessory clamp used thereon

ABSTRACT

A medical accessory clamping system includes a table and an accessory clamp. The table has an upper surface and a lower surface, a first ridge positioned on the upper surface and a second ridge positioned on the lower surface of the table. The accessory clamp has a first clamping member and a second clamping member coupled to but separate from the first clamping member wherein the clamping members define a cavity for receiving a portion of the table. The first and second clamping members have recesses for receiving said first and second ridges of the table, respectively. A uniquely styled clamp and a table are also disclosed.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally relates to a surgical table top and anaccessory clamp for use therewith. More particularly, the presentinvention relates to a surgical table top having a geometric or bevelededge and at least one ridge on each of its upper and lower surfaces, anda clamp adapted to be attached to the table by receiving the geometricedge and the table's ridges.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Surgical table tops have been employed to perform a variety ofprocedures. Oftentimes, during these procedures, the patient requiresfluoroscopy or other imaging procedure. Metal table tops or those withmetal supports interfered with proper imaging of the patient. To thatend, surgical table tops have more recently been constructed ofradiolucent materials such as, for example, carbon fiber or othercomposites. Such table tops lacking metal components provided a patientsupporting surface that did not interfere with imaging procedures.

Unfortunately, the radiolucent materials are unsuitable for supportingthe attachment of accessories commonly required during medicalprocedures. For example, during surgical procedures, it is oftennecessary to use attachments, armboards, retractors, etc. for supportingthe patient's limbs, trays for surgical instruments, specially designedsurgical equipment, such as cameras, or robotic surgical devices, amongothers, in conjunction with the table top.

To accomplish this, known surgical table tops typically are providedwith side rails permanently attached at opposite long sides of the tabletop. These rails provide an attachment point for accessories, which maybe clamped or otherwise attached to the rails. While these rails wereeasily affixed to a conventional metal table top by fasteners,attachment to a composite table top, such as a carbon fiber compositetable top) required metal inserts molded into the table top to receivethose fasteners. The inserts were provided with threaded openings suchthat the rails could be fastened by screws and removed as necessary.Even with the rails removed, however, the metal inserts interfered withthe results of the imaging process. Moreover, the metal inserts cancreate scatter radiation and require an increased amount of radiationand require an increased amount of radiation to be used, thereby causepotential safety problems.

Still further, since the rails extended the entire length of the tabletop, these rails hinder the surgeon's access to the table top. The railsprevent the surgeon and other persons providing treatment to the patientfrom standing immediately next to the table top. This may cause thetreating personnel to function in an awkward position increasing fatigueor interfering with access to the surgical area.

To alleviate these concerns, at least one manufacturer has provided aremovable clamp for a radiolucent surgical table top. Since the clamprelies on compressive force instead of fasteners for attachment to thetable, the table top may be constructed without metal inserts. In thisway, accessories may be removed prior to conducting imaging proceduressuch that the table top may be made free of metallic objects that wouldappear on the image if the x-ray field of view were close. The presentlyknown clamping device includes a generally C-shaped clamp having top andbottom legs held in spaced relation by a vertical side member. The legsand side members form a single solid member defining an open-endedchannel that receives an edge of the table. A clamping bar supported onthe bottom leg of the clamp is selectively moveable in the verticaldirection to apply a compressive force to the table top when the tabletop is between the bar and the first leg. The clamping bar is made flatto engage a flat bottom surface of a surgical table top and the top legangles downwardly defining a crook or a recess for receiving the raisededge of a conventional surgical table top. The flat clamping bar may beprone to lateral deviation because it is not restrained. This deviationmay be most prevalent when the clamp is loosened for longitudinalmovement. Deviation may be problematic when attempting to slide theclamp to a new position. Since the clamping bar is unrestrained in thelateral direction, it may deviate causing the upper portion of the clampto rub against the raised edge on the upper surface increasing theeffort necessary to move the clamp or in extreme cases the clamp maybind against the edge of the table top. This rubbing may also abrade orgouge the surfaces of the table top or its raised edge leading tofurther clamp-moving difficulty.

As a further disadvantage, the edges of most conventional surgical tabletops are square. Despite the use of radiolucent material, when x-rayingfrom an oblique angle, the squared edge of the conventional tableappears on a flouroscopic image as a thin line. As will be appreciated,this line may obscure important details of the image.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, an aspect of the present invention to provide asurgical table top capable of having an accessory clamp removablymounted thereon.

It is another aspect of the present invention to provide an accessoryclamp which is removable from an at least partially radiolucent surgicaltable top.

It is still another aspect of the present invention to provide a medicalaccessory clamping system comprising a surgical table top and aremovably mounted accessory clamp, wherein the clamp is capable ofsupporting attachments thereto when mounted on the surgical table top.

At least one or more of the foregoing aspects, together with theadvantages thereof over the prior art relating to medical equipment suchas tables and clamps, which shall become apparent from the specificationwhich follows, are accomplished by the invention as hereinafterdescribed and claimed.

In general, the present invention provides a medical accessory clampingsystem including a table top having an upper surface and a lowersurface, and at least a first ridge positioned on the upper surface andat least a second ridge positioned on the lower surface of the table;and an accessory clamp having a first clamping member and a secondclamping member coupled to but separate from the first clamping member,the first and second clamping members defining a cavity for receiving aportion of the table top, the first clamping member having a firstrecess for receiving the first ridge and the second clamping memberhaving a second recess for receiving the second ridge.

The present invention further provides a clamp for receiving ageometrically shaped article, the clamp including a first clampingmember having a first recess; and a second clamping member having asecond recess and being operatively coupled to but separate from thefirst clamping member, wherein the first and second clamping members andtheir respective recesses define a cavity for receiving thegeometrically shaped article such that the recesses engage at least aportion of the geometrically shaped article.

The present invention further provides a medical table top including anupper surface, a lower surface, at least a first ridge positioned on theupper surface near the periphery of the table top, and at least a secondridge positioned on the lower surface near the periphery of the tabletop. At least a patient receiving portion of the table top may be madefrom radiolucent materials.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the medical accessory clamping systemaccording to the present invention wherein a removable accessory clampis attached to a surgical table top.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view depicting a accessory clamp in an openposition.

FIG. 3 is an end view of the accessory clamp of FIG. 2 shown incross-section through the coupling mechanism of the clamp.

FIG. 4 is a bottom elevational view of the accessory clamp of FIG. 1attached to the table top shown partially cut away.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the medical accessory clamping systemshowing a medical accessory (partially cut away) supported on a surgicaltable top (also partially cut way) by an accessory clamp according tothe concepts of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a end view of the accessory clamp attached to a table topshown in cross section.

FIG. 7 is an end view of the accessory clamp of FIG. 2 shown incross-section through the accessory rail connecting mechanism of theclamp.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the description which follows like parts are marked throughout thespecification and drawing figures with the same reference numerals,respectively. The drawing figures are not necessarily to scale andcertain elements may be shown in schematic or generalized form oromitted from certain views in the interest of clarity and conciseness.

A representative medical accessory clamping system according to theconcepts of the present invention is generally shown in FIGS. 1 and 5and is generally indicated herein to by the numeral 10. This clampingsystem 10 generally includes a table top, referred to generally by thenumeral 12, and an accessory clamp, referred to generally by the numeral14.

Table top 12 is used to support a patient in need of care, such as forpurposes of surgery or the like. It has an upper surface 16 and a lowersurface 18, on which are positioned at least a set of first and secondridges, 20 and 22 near the periphery of each surface 16 and 18,respectively. First and second ridges 20, 22 may be of any shape orcross-section capable of receiving or attaching and/or, more preferably,capable of permitting the guiding movement of the accessory clamp 14 asdescribed hereinbelow, while holding the clamp in a rigid and stablemanner. To reduce the likelihood of clothing or other items catching onridges 20, 22, they are preferably smooth as shown in FIG. 5. Each ridgemay have the same or different shape from another depending upon theconstruction of the table top, and may be made integral with or separatefrom the table top itself. Each ridge may be continuous or made ofdiscrete sections collinear with each other.

Each first ridge 20, formed on the topside 16 of table top 12 isgenerally positioned near the perimeter or periphery of the uppersurface 16 and preferably extends substantially along the entire lengthof table top 12, or at least along the length of that portion of thetable top defined herein as the patient receiving portion. Each secondridge 22 may be similarly formed on the underside 18 of the table top 12and preferably extends substantially vertically parallel to its opposedfirst ridge 20 along the entire length of the table top 12, or at leastalong the length of the patient receiving portion of the table top 12.

The table top 12 further includes a side edge 24 connecting theperiphery of each surface. For purposes of clarity, the side edge 24will be differentiated as a first side edge 24 a defining the right handside of the table top 12 and a second side edge 24 b defining the lefthand side of the table top 12.

In a preferred embodiment and as shown in at least FIG. 5, a pair offirst ridges 20 are formed on the upper surface 16 of the table top 12,both first ridges 20 being parallel to one of the respective side edges24 a or 24 b of the table top 12. Similarly, as best seen in FIG. 5, apair of second ridges 22 are formed on the lower surface 18 of the tabletop 12, with each second ridge 22 being parallel to one of therespective side edges 24 a, 24 b of the table top 12.

As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, side edge 24 is preferably irregular tothe extent that it is not a vertical edge between the surfaces of tabletop 12. To that end, the side edge 24 may be straight, curved orstaggered. Preferably, side edge 24 is beveled, extending downwardly andinwardly from the upper surface 16 to the lower surface 18. Moreparticularly, the beveled edge 24 is angled at approximately 45°. Suchan angle promotes better image visualization and gives the user theability to make a more accurate diagnosis when imaging a patient at theedge of the table top, specifically long the beveled edge in ananterior/posterior position. That is, the beveled edge reduces thedominance of the side of the table 12 in oblique fluoroscopic or x-rayimages. In imaging with a 90° edge of a table top, the vertical edge maystill appear as a thin line on a flouroscopic image.

As noted hereinabove, it may become desirable to perform imaging, suchas x-rays, during procedures performed on patient. To facilitate this,radiolucent materials may be substituted for conventional stainlesssteel or aluminum in the construction of at least a major portion, ifnot the entirety of the table top 12, so as to create a metal-freeimaging area. In a preferred embodiment, the table top is capable ofsupporting a 500 lb. patient weight capacity with no metal included inat least 55 inches of its preferred 92-inch length. This 55-inch portionis referred to hereinafter as a patient receiving portion and ispreferably constructed of carbon fibers or other radiolucent materials.That is, the patient receiving portion, which is essentially the entiretable top portion shown in FIGS. 1 and 5 and is therefore notrenumbered, is constructed entirely of carbon fiber or, as shown, of acarbon fiber shell 26 surrounding a foam 28 interior.

It will be appreciated that table top 12 may be mounted on a base (nowshown) as is known in the art. The base may take any form conventionalin the art including that of a single pillar, a plurality of legs orother supporting structures used to support the table top 12.Alternatively, the table top could even be suspended by varioussuspension mechanisms. In addition, the table base itself may bestationary or mobile as necessary, while the table top 12 may also bestationary or moveable with respect to the base. In a preferredembodiment, at least the patient supporting portion of the table top 12is cantilevered from the base such that there is nothing beneath thatportion of the table top 12. With the patient supporting portion in thisarrangement, the table top 12 provides a large surface usable for takingx-rays or other imaging.

The table top 12 of the present invention, like other conventional tabletops, may further include strap retainers (not shown) attached to thetable top. Such strap retainers, used to maintain any straps that may beused to restrain the patient to the table top, are also preferablyconstructed of similar radiolucent materials to lessen the chances ofinterference with imaging. Strap retainers, where used, are typicallyplaced on the underside 16 of the table top 12 in pairs at or near theside edges 24. These strap retainers also may be made removable from thetable top 12 allowing complete removal of the retainers during imagingor whenever removal is desired.

The other major part of the medical accessory clamping system of thepresent invention is the clamp 14. It will be appreciated that, giventhe uniquely constructed table top 12, a conventional clamp, such as onewith a square opening or a standard C-clamp, is basically unusable andwill not adequately clamp to the irregular side edges 24 of the tabletop 12. The clamp 14 of the present invention solves this problem, andcan be of any size or configuration useful in the art.

The accessory clamp 14 of the present invention, depicted best in FIGS.2, 3, 6 and 7, includes at least a first clamping member 32 and a secondclamping member 34 coupled to but separate from or independent of thefirst clamping member 32. These first and second clamping members 32, 34define a cavity 36 for receiving at least the side edge 24 of the tabletop 12 or other geometrically shaped article needing clamped. Notably,the first clamping member 32 includes a first recess 40 for receivingthe first ridge 20 of the table top 12 and the second clamping member 34includes a second recess 42 for receiving the second ridge 22 of saidtable top 12, the recesses 40, 42 also forming a part of the cavity 36.

In a preferred embodiment, the cavity 36 defined by at least the firstand second clamping members 32, 34 is of a geometry that substantiallyconforms to that portion of the table top 12 received by the cavity 36.In other words, cavity 36 is preferably defined by the first clampingmember 32 having a first clamping surface 44 with the first recess 40defined therein and a tapered conforming surface 46 extending from thefirst clamping surface 44 distal to the open end of the cavity 36, whilethe second clamping member 34 likewise has a second clamping surface 48with the second recess 42 defined therein and another tapered conformingsurface 50 extending from the second clamping surface 48 distal to theopen end of the cavity 36. In order to conform to the geometry of thetable top 12, first clamping surface 44 with its first recess 40 andsecond clamping surface 48 with its second recess 42 are in opposed,essentially parallel relationship to each other and engage the upper andlower surfaces 16, 18 of the table top, respectively. As such, first andsecond recesses 40, 42 also engage their mating ridges 20, 22 on theupper and lower surfaces 16, 18 of the table top 12 and are preferablyvertically planar to each other. That is, a first recess 40 engaging afirst ridge 20 of the table top 12 and an opposed second recess 42engaging a second ridge 22 of the table top 12 are all in verticalalignment. Further, tapered conforming surfaces 46 and 50 each conformto the beveled angle of the side edge 24 of the table top 12 and aremore particularly aligned to be co-planar with each other when the clamp14 is closed and clamped to the table top 12.

The clamping and conforming surfaces 44, 46, 48 and 50 defining cavity36 of the clamp 14 thus essentially mirror those surfaces and side edgesof the table top 12. It is believed that this arrangement spreads theclamping forces over a larger surface area on the table top 12 therebyreducing the likelihood of localized deformation including gouging ofthese surfaces by excessive application of clamping force.

Clamping members 32, 34 may generally be of any dimension, size or shapeprovided that they are large enough to define a cavity 36 suitable forreceiving the side edge 24 of the table top 12. Furthermore, theclamping members 32, 34 may have any surface characteristics, butpreferably their surfaces machined relatively smooth with the edgesrounded over or tapered to reduce a likelihood of a patient's or medicalpersonnel's clothing or bodies from being snagged on the clamp 14. Forexample, both the first and second clamping members 32, 34 include agenerally smooth external surface 52, 54, respectively, which thengradually tapers toward the cavity 36 as an angled surface 56, 58,respectively, to an end surface 60, 62, respectively, the end surfaces60, 62 being adjacent the first and second clamping surfaces 44, 48,respectively, at the mouth of cavity 36.

When used with the table top 12 having first and second ridges 20, 22,the first and second clamping members 32, 34, by way of their first andsecond recesses 40, 42 communicate with and otherwise engage theseridges. Preferably the recesses and the ridges are rounded and smooth toallow for the gliding of the clamp 14 alone the table top without havingto remove the clamp 14 completely. That is, the rounded, smooth surfacesof the recesses 40, 42 are generally of any shape capable of engagingthe like smooth surfaces of the ridges 20, 22 and are sized such thatthey conform closely to the width of the ridges 20, 22, thereby allowingthe clamp 14 to glide or slidingly move along the length of the tabletop 12, if not clamped tightly.

In addition to the surfaces already discussed, first and second clampingmembers 32, 34 also include opposing parallel surfaces 64 and 66 whichdefine a bore therein for receiving a coupling mechanism 68. The coupler68 may be any known mechanism suitable for bringing the clamping members32, 34 into clamped engagement with table top 12 or for releasing theclamping members 32, 34 from the table top 12. Examples of knowncouplers include but are not limited to screws, levers, gears, ratchetor cam mechanisms. As will be understood, the means for actuating orcoupling the first and second clamping members 32, 34 are well known andany of these conventional couplers may be substituted within clamp 14with little modification. Thus, while only one exemplified embodiment ofa coupler is shown in the drawings, any conventional coupler or actuatormay be used in accordance with the spirit of this invention.

As shown in the drawings, a coupler) generally referred to by thenumeral 68, is received by first and second clamping members 32, 34.Coupler 68 more particularly for this embodiment includes a threadedshaft 70 running between the first and second clamping members 32, 34and a knob 72 rotatably mounted to the shaft 70 adjacent one of theclamping members and distal to the other of the clamping members. Aspring 74 biases the clamping members 32, 34 apart, but rotation of theknob 72 causes the knob 72 to move axially along the threaded shaft 70,bring the clamping members 32, 34 closer together or farther apart.Rotational direction of knob 72 controls the selective opening orclosing of the clamping members 32, 34.

The spring 74 is preferably a helical spring and is compressed betweenfirst and second clamping members 32, 34 such that it exerts an axialoutward force against each of the clamping members 32, 34 that aids indriving the clamping members 32, 34 apart when the knob 72 is loosened.While spring 74 may simply rest between clamping members 32, 34, aspring recess may be formed within one or both of the clamping members32, 34 to receive and radically confine either or both of the ends ofspring 74 thereby aiding in the proper positioning of spring 74.

A nut or other stop mechanism 76 is also shown to prevent the knob 72from coming off of the threaded shaft 70. The stop mechanism 76 may bemade adjustable to selectively control movement of the knob 72.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, clockwise rotation of knob 72 movesclamping members 32, 34 toward each other and counter clockwise rotationallows the clamping members 32, 34 to move away from each other. Awasher 78 may be mounted between the knob 72 and the lower surface 54 ofsecond clamping member 34 to prevent contact between the rotating knob72 and lower surface 54 that might gouge or otherwise abrade the lowersurface 54. Additionally, washer 78 may reduce the likelihood of knob 72binding when fully tightened. The lower surface 54 of second clampingmember 34 may be recessed to at least partially receive washer 78 whenknob 72 is tightened. It will also be appreciated that, while the knob72 is shown beneath the second clamping member 34) knob 72 may be placedin other locations including the upper surface 52 of first clampingmember 32 or at other exterior surfaces of the clamp 14. As previouslydiscussed, other structures may be used to actuate or couple theclamping members 32, 34 between open and closed positions and thelocation of the actuator/coupler 68 may vary accordingly.

As shown in FIG. 2, a post 80 may be housed between first and secondclamping members 32, 34 to prevent relative rotation thereof caused bytorquing of knob 72 and maintaining longitudinal alignment of theclamping members 32, 34. Additional posts may be added to further aid inthe alignment of these members, and absorb torque created by actuationof knob 72. Post 80 is spaced from threaded shaft 70 and held in a fixedlocation in a plane parallel to the threaded shaft 70. In the depictedembodiment, post 80 is sized such that it maintains simultaneous contactwith first and second clamping members 32, 34 when these members are inthe fully open position such that post 80 acts as a rotational stopthroughout actuation of the clamp 14. It is foreseeable, however, thatsuch stopping action may not be strictly required at all points duringvertical movement of the members 32, 34, such as the open position whenthe clamp 14 is being removed. Thus, post 80 need not extend into bothclamping members 32, 34 when clamp 14 is opened. Post 80 may also be ofany cross-section and have any shape provided that it does not undulyinterfere with movement of the clamping members 32, 34 between open andclosed positions.

As will be appreciated, some irregularities in the surfaces of table top12 may be present. Accordingly, the clamp 14 may be provided with somestructure which will enable it to accommodate these irregularities. Forexample, as best shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 7, a protrusion 82 may beformed on one of said surfaces 64 or 66 of said first or second clampingmembers to provide lateral play. Protrusion 82 may extend the entirelength of clamp 14, or it may extend to a lesser extent, or be formed bya plurality of staggered protrusions. The protrusion 82 may be of anyshape or cross-section, although the outermost portion should be flatfor engagement with the other surface of the opposing clamping member.

As shown in FIG. 6, when clamping members 32, 34 are brought intoclamping engagement, protrusion 82, here positioned on and extendingfrom surface 64 of the first clamping member 32, engages the surface 66of second clamping member 34 leaving a very small gap adjacent theprotrusion 82. The gap allows play in the lateral direction between theclamping members 32, 34 to allow the clamping members 32, 34 to adjustto irregularities in the surfaces 16, 18 of the table top 12 or ridges20, 22. Moreover, as shown, protrusion 82 is formed at an outside edgeof the surface 64 or 66 of said first or second clamping member 32, 34.

In the longitudinal direction, play may preferably be introduced byusing only a single post 80 located on one side of a centrallypositioned coupler 68. In this way, the angular movement of the clampingmembers 32, 34 in the longitudinal direction is somewhat restricted onone side by the post 80, but unrestricted on the post-free side. Thisfreedom allows angular play over the length of the clamp 14accommodating irregularities in the clamped, geometrically shapedarticle found along the length of the clamp 14. By introducing some playbetween the clamping members 32, 34, contact may occur between theclamping members 32, 34 without unduly deforming the article when anirregularity would cause the article to be slightly larger than thecavity 36. When not relying on play, a slight loosening of knob 72allows the gap to open and clamp member 14 may be more easily slid alongridges 20, 22, or removed altogether. That is, loosening knob 72, opensclamp member 14 by separating clamping members 32, 34. To remove theclamp 14, the clamping members may be opened sufficient wide to allowthe clamp 14 to be removed from the table top over the ridges 20, 22, ormay be opened to allow sliding movement along the table top. In otherwords) the clamp 14 may be clamped over the table top 12 by opening theclamping members wide enough to permit placement of the clamp 14 on thetable top 12, or may be slidingly positioned on the table. Of course,either method may be used to remove the clamp as well.

The clamp 14 further may include an accessory rail 86 for attachingaccessories to the clamp. Such a rail 86 is essentially a shorterversion of the conventional rails typically used in attachingaccessories to surgical table tops. The rail 86 may be mounted to theclamp 14 by any manner known in the art. In the preferred embodimentshown in FIG. 7, the rail 86 is attached to the first clamping member 32by a plurality of threaded screws or other fasteners 88 received throughbores located in the back of the clamping member 32. In other to protectthe threads of the screw 88 and to provide supporting strength to therail 86, a spacer 90 is preferably positioned around each screw 88between the rail 86 and the first clamping member 32 so as to spaceapart the rail 86 from the clamp 14.

Retractors, arm extensions, or other known accessories (not shown) maybe directly attached to rail 86 of clamp 14, or as shown in FIG. 5, maybe provided with a mounting bracket 92 that provides a point ofattachment for these accessories. In the embodiment shown, the bracket92 is attached to rail 86 of first clamping member 32 by a well knowntechnique. Bracket 92 is preferably attached such that top surface ofthe bracket 92 is approximately at the same approximate height as thetop surface 52 of first clamping member 32. The bracket 92 is generallyan elongated member that provides sufficient area and structure for theattachment of an accessory such as 94. For example, as shown in FIG. 5,the bracket may include a rotational piece 96 for tightening orloosening the accessory 94 from the bracket 92 or the bracket 92 fromthe rail 86.

It should therefore be apparent that the present invention reducesinterference with imaging by providing a table top having a geometricside edge and a removable clamp for mounting accessories to this sideedge. The present invention further provides more secure attachment ofthe clamp to a table top. It is, therefore, to be understood that anyvariations evident fall within the scope of the claimed invention andthus, the selection of specific component elements can be determinedwithout departing from the spirit of the invention herein disclosed anddescribed. Thus, the scope of the invention shall include allmodifications and variations that may fall within the scope of theattached claims.

1. A clamp for receiving an associated geometrically shaped articlehaving top and bottom surfaces and a beveled edge, the clamp comprising:a first clamping member having a first recess, a first clamping surface,and a first tapered conforming surface; a second clamping member havinga second recess, a second clamping surface, and a second taperedconforming surface, and being operatively coupled to but separate fromsaid first clamping member, wherein said first and second clampingmembers define a cavity for receiving the associated geometricallyshaped article, said first and second clamping surfaces being adapted toengage the top and bottom surfaces of the geometrically shaped article,respectively, when the associated article is received in the clamp, andthe first and second tapered conforming surfaces are adapted to engagesaid beveled edge and are parallel to each other and co-planar with eachother when the associated article is received in said clamp; and, anaccessory rail mounted to one of said first or second clamping members.2. The clamp of claim 1, wherein said first and second recesses opposeand are vertically planar to one another.
 3. The clamp of claim 1,wherein said first and second clamping members are combined by acoupler, said coupler having a threaded shaft running between the firstand second clamping members and a knob rotatably mounted to said shaftadjacent one of said first or second clamping members and distal to theother of said claiming members.
 4. The clamp of claim 1, wherein saidaccessory rail is separated from said clamping member by at least onespacer mounted between said accessory rail and said clamping member. 5.The clamp of claim 3, wherein said first and second clamping memberseach have a surface essentially parallel and opposing each other andreceiving said coupler therethrough.
 6. The clamp of claim 5, wherein aprotrusion is formed on one of said opposing surfaces of said first orsecond clamping members and is adapted to engage said surface of theother of said surfaces of said first and second clamping members.
 7. Aclamp for use with an associated geometrically shaped table having anouter edge defined between upper and lower surfaces, the outer edgedefining a beveled angle relative to the upper and lower surfaces, afirst ridge on the upper surface spaced inwardly from said outer edge,and a second ridge on the lower surface spaced inwardly from said outeredge, the clamp comprising: a first clamping member; and, a secondclamping member operatively coupled with the first clamping member, thefirst and second clamping members defining a cavity with an open endtherebetween, the first clamping member having a first clamping surfaceincluding a first recess shaped to receive said first ridge of theassociated table and a first tapered conforming surface extending fromthe first clamping surface distal to the open end of said cavity andpositioned to engage a first portion of said outer edge of theassociated table, the second clamping member having a second clampingsurface including a second recess shaped to receive said second ridge ofthe associated table and a second tapered conforming surface extendingfrom the second clamping surface distal to the open end of said cavityand positioned to engage a second portion of said outer edge of theassociated table, the first tapered conforming surface of the firstclamping member and the second tapered conforming surface of the secondclamping member being disposed in co-planar alignment with each otherwhen the clamp is clamped onto the associated table.
 8. The clampaccording to claim 7, further including: a coupling mechanism adapted tobring the first and second clamping members into clamped arrangementwith the associated table.
 9. The clamp according to claim 8, whereinthe coupling mechanism includes at least a one of a screw, lever, gear,rachet, and a cam mechanism.
 10. The clamp according to claim 9,wherein: the first clamping member defines a threaded bore; the secondclamping member defines a bore opening; the coupling mechanism includesa threaded shaft extending through said bore opening and into saidthreaded bore; and, a knob on an end of the threaded shaft wherebyrotational movement of the knob and threaded shaft urges the first andsecond clamping members into clamping engagement with said associatedtable.
 11. The clamp according to claim 10, further including aresilient member compressed between said first and second clampingmembers, said resilient member being adapted to exert axial outwardforce against each of said first and second clamping members for biasingthe first and second clamping members apart when said threaded shaft isloosened.
 12. The clamp according to claim 11, further including a stopmechanism associated with said coupling mechanism for preventing saidcoupling mechanism from becoming disconnected from said clamp.
 13. Theclamp according to claim 10, further including an alignment mechanismarranged to prevent relative rotation between said first and secondclamping members when said threaded shaft is rotated.
 14. The clampaccording to claim 13, wherein said alignment mechanism is a post memberextending from one of said first and second clamping members into a boredefined in the other of said first and second clamping members.
 15. Theclamp according to claim 8, further including a protrusion formed on atleast one of said first and second clamping members on a side of saidcoupling mechanism opposite from said cavity, said protrusion inducingcontact between said first and second clamping members on said side ofsaid coupling mechanism opposite from said cavity to adapt said clampfor coupling engagement with said associated geometrically shaped tablehaving surface irregularities.
 16. The clamp according to claim 7,further including an accessory rail coupled with at least one of saidfirst clamping member and said second claiming member.
 17. A clamp forreceiving an associated geometrically shaped article having top andbottom surfaces and a beveled edge, the clamp comprising: a firstclamping member having a first clamping surface and a first taperedconforming surface; a second clamping member having a second clampingsurface and a second tapered conforming surface, the second clampingmember being operatively coupled to but separate from said firstclamping member, wherein said first and second clamping members andtheir respective surfaces define a cavity for receiving the associatedgeometrically shaped article, said first and second clamping surfacesbeing adapted to engage the top and bottom surfaces of the geometricallyshaped article, respectively, when the associated article is received inthe clamp, and the first and second tapered conforming surfaces areadapted to engage said beveled edge and are parallel to each other andco-planar with each other when the associated article is received insaid clamp; and, an accessory rail mounted to one of said first orsecond clamping members.
 18. The clamp of claim 17, further including acoupler coupling said first and second clamping members, said couplerhaving a threaded shaft extending between the first and second clampingmembers.
 19. The clamp of claim 17, wherein: said first clamping memberincludes a first recess; and, said second clamping member includes asecond recess.
 20. A clamp for use with an associated geometricallyshaped table having an outer edge between upper and lower surfaces, theouter edge defining a beveled angle relative to the upper and lowersurfaces, a first ridge on the upper surface spaced inwardly from saidouter edge, and a second ridge on the lower surface spaced inwardly fromsaid outer edge, the clamp comprising: a first clamping member; and, asecond clamping member operatively coupled with the first clampingmember, the first and second clamping members defining a cavity with anopen end therebetween, the first clamping member having a first recessshaped to receive said first ridge of the associated table and a firsttapered conforming surface opposite said open end of said cavity andpositioned to engage a first portion of said outer edge of theassociated table, the second clamping member having a second recessshaped to receive said second ridge of the associated table and a secondtapered conforming surface opposite said open end of said cavity andpositioned to engage a second portion of said outer edge of theassociated table, the first tapered conforming surface of the firstclamping member and the second tapered conforming surface of the secondclamping member being disposed in parallel and co-planar alignment witheach other when the clamp is clamped onto the associated table.
 21. Theclamp according to claim 20, further including: a coupling mechanismadapted to move the first and second clamping members into clampedarrangement with the associated table.